In a recent turn of events, former US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him a “terrible” dictator amid ongoing talks between the United States and Russia.
The war of words between the two leaders comes as tensions between the US and Russia continue to escalate, with the recent military buildup on the Ukrainian border causing concern among Western allies.
Trump’s comments, made during an interview with Fox News, were met with swift backlash from Zelenskyy’s government, who accused the former president of spreading false information and undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty.
In the interview, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for his handling of the conflict in eastern Ukraine and accused him of being a “puppet” of the US government. He also suggested that Zelenskyy was not a legitimate leader and called for new elections in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian government swiftly responded to Trump’s comments, with a spokesperson for Zelenskyy dismissing the former president’s remarks as “unfounded and absurd.” The spokesperson also reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to democracy and its sovereignty, emphasizing that Zelenskyy was elected by the Ukrainian people in a free and fair election.
The war of words between Trump and Zelenskyy comes at a crucial time for US-Russia relations, with both countries engaged in high-stakes negotiations over issues such as arms control, cyber security, and the situation in Ukraine.
The Biden administration has expressed support for Ukraine and has warned Russia against any further aggression in the region. President Joe Biden has also reaffirmed the US’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, signaling a tough stance against Russian aggression.
As tensions continue to rise between the US and Russia, the war of words between Trump and Zelenskyy adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation. It remains to be seen how the ongoing negotiations between the US and Russia will unfold and what impact Trump’s comments will have on the diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine.